Datafor sends all its email through the SMTP server configured on the Email page:

• alert notifications;
• verification codes for a forgotten password;
• verification codes for self-registration, when registration is allowed;
• the result of a data upload approval, sent to the user who uploaded the file.

Without a working mail server, these emails are not sent. Only administrators can open the page.

1. Open the Email page

Go to Settings › General › Email.

2. Fill in the settings

All fields in Server and Sender are required.

Section	Field	What to enter	Notes
Server	SMTP server	Host name of the SMTP server, e.g. smtp.example.com.
Server	Port	SMTP port. Common values: 25 (unencrypted), 465 (SSL), 587 (STARTTLS).	The form starts with 25.
Server	Protocol	SMTP or SMTPS.	Use the one your mail provider requires.
Server	Username	Account used to sign in to the SMTP server.
Server	Password	Password of that account.	Some providers require an app password instead of the mailbox password.
Sender	Sender address	Address that appears as the sender, usually the same mailbox as Username.	Must be a valid email address ("Enter a valid email address").
Sender	Sender name	Display name of the sender.
Encryption	Use STARTTLS	Select to upgrade the connection with STARTTLS.	Optional.
Encryption	Use SSL/TLS	Select to connect over SSL/TLS.	Optional.

3. Test the connection

Click Test connection at the bottom of the page.

• The test uses the values currently in the form, including changes you have not saved, so you can try settings before saving them.
• All required fields must be filled in before the test runs.
• The server sends a test message with those values to the Sender address. The result appears as Test passed, or as Test failed with the reason returned by the mail server.

4. Save

Click Save. The button is available once you have changed something. If you leave the page with unsaved changes, Datafor asks you to keep editing, discard the changes, or save and leave.

5. Troubleshooting

Problem	Likely cause	What to do
Test failed with an authentication error	Wrong Username or Password, or the provider requires an app password	Check the account, and generate an app password if the provider uses them.
Test failed with a connection or timeout error	Wrong SMTP server or Port, or a firewall blocks the port	Check the host and port with your provider, and allow outbound traffic to that port.
SSL/TLS errors	Encryption options do not match the port	Match Use SSL/TLS or Use STARTTLS and Protocol to what the provider requires for that port.
Emails are blocked or never arrive	Provider security policy	Allow SMTP or third-party access for the account, and check the recipient's spam folder.